Bomb Squad

The Bomb Squad provides emergency response and mitigation to incidents that are suspected to be explosive in nature and/or be affiliated with biological or chemical substances. The fire department’s nationally-accredited explosive device response capability is based upon personnel who receive advanced explosive device render safe training. When requested, by either another municipality or the FBI, the Bomb Squad responds to other jurisdictions to assist with explosive device mitigation.

Staff
A component of the Special Operations Branch, the Chief Fire Marshal serves as the Bomb Squad Commander and assigns a Team Leader to each shift. The department staffs the Bomb Squad with 11 nationally certified Hazardous Device Technician slots.

In 2004, the squad obtained Drake, a golden retriever trained in locating materials used in creating explosive devices, firearms, and ammunition.

Equipment
The Bomb Squad apparatus includes a medium duty rescue and step van that tows a containment vessel. The team currently has available a wide range of equipment, robotics, and advanced technology enabling it to respond to, identify, and mitigate explosive device incidents and threats within the city and the surrounding mutual aid jurisdictions.